This is the third instalment in The Bugle’s Valentine’s Day series, celebrating love that stands the test of time.

When statistics tell us that the average Australian marriage lasts just eight years, reaching 61 years together is nothing short of remarkable.

For Robyn and Gary Atkins, love has been about respect, shared adventures and an unwavering commitment to each other.

From their first meeting at a Sydney jazz club to a life built in Jamberoo, their story is one of simple joys, enduring love and a deep appreciation for life’s journey, whether at home, in their motorhome exploring the outback, or among their beloved community.

Their secret? Kindness, laughter and never sweating the small stuff.

Sixty-one years of marriage is no small feat, but for Robyn and Gary Atkins, it has been a journey of love, respect and a little bit of jazz.

The couple first met at a jazz club in Sydney in 1961, an era when dance halls and live music were the backdrop to many romances. Robyn, originally from Cobar, moved to Sydney with her family when she was eight.

She left school at 15 and began working as a junior at George Patterson Advertising before later becoming a flight hostess with East West Airlines.

Gary, who grew up on a dairy farm near Taree, came to Sydney to complete his apprenticeship and built a career as a millwright with Great Western/Fielders Flour Mill, later working on the maintenance team at ABB in Moorebank.

“I thought he was too young,” Robyn recalls with a laugh. “I made him show me his driver’s licence. He couldn’t dance – trod all over my toes – but there was something about him.”

Three years later, they married at Hurstville Presbyterian Church.

Gary and Robyn Atkins on their wedding day.

Their early years were spent in Sydney, but they always had a connection to the Kiama area, spending weekends at their caravan at Kendalls Beach.

When their daughter Melissa married a local, they decided to make Jamberoo their permanent home – and have now been there for nearly 25 years.

So what is the secret to their long and happy marriage?

“We never argue,” Robyn says simply. “Well, maybe a few little spats, but nothing serious. We respect each other. We’ve never been materialistic – never felt the need to keep up with the Joneses.”

Their deep roots in the community have made Jamberoo home. Gary enjoys spending time around the house, keeping the lawns immaculate and makes sure to get out for a walk every day. “It’s good exercise,” Robyn says. “He even pushes the lawnmower – no ride-on for him!”

In retirement, they have embraced travel, exploring both overseas destinations and the vast landscapes of Australia in their motorhome. For Robyn and Gary, nothing compares to discovering the "real life and backbone" of Australia, meeting people in small towns and experiencing the outback.

“You see the heart of the country that way, it’s not just about the places, it’s about the people.”

For Robyn and Gary, life is about family, community and appreciating the simple things. “We love it here,” Robyn says. “We have wonderful neighbours, a great community and a life we love.”